Monday, June 30, 2014

*Note: I DO NOT get endorsed or paid to mention such products. I simply went to Big Lots, walked up and down aisles with my boyfriend, Chad, and these are what I picked.After receiving my June 24th email of recommendations from YouTube and trying my hand at the Crochet Handbag Purse (post to come as soon as I finish the sewing!) I checked out the Stylen with Cstyles Bag O Day Facebook page to see what else was out there. Absolutely gorgeous and fun purses/handbags and beach/tote bags.I had purchased some materials to make my cousin, Tiffany, the Children of Mine Bracelet for her birthday but once I received my supplies I realized I forgot one important component - 2 crystal bicones to represent her daughter Madison!So... I decided for the time being that I would make her this Rainbow Bright Beach Bag and fill it with lots of goodies!

I used CaronOne Pound in Bright White and Red HeartSuper Saver in Turqua, Bright Yellow, Glow Worm, Pumpkin and Light Raspberry (you could use Pretty 'n Pink instead if you wanted a brighter pink color). It doesn't require much yarn - you could easily make multiple tote bags with the same selection of yarns.I'm planning on make some more of these beach bags. I think one in alternating white and another color would look nice, one with only the strips throughout (no mesh) would look nice, etc... Oh the possibilities!

This Rainbow Bright Beach Bag YouTube video is very easy to follow along with. There is no written pattern but it's easy enough to jot down some notes to self and/or simply watch again! The video is short and sweet.

The bag is nice sized! It measures approximately 11" wide by 14.5 tall. It stretches to accommodate your goodies - stretched 15" to accommodate mine! I was able to fit a small lunch bag/cooler (filled with small bottles of Gatorade and Luna Bars), some sunscreen, a new beach towel, some lip balm (since sunscreen doesn't really taste too good!) and two magazines - Cooking Light for Cooking Inspiration and Mixing Bowl for Baking Inspiration (but it's an all around cooking/baking magazine).

I then put the bag over my shoulder to see how it held up. Because it is made from yarn and has the weight in it, it will stretch ESPECIALLY the strap, but I walked around for a few minutes with it on and didn't have any concerns. If you would like to make your bag extra secure, for the last round and the straps just double the thickness like the bottom of the bag is made. OR you can use cotton yarn (ie Lily's Sugar 'n Cream or Handicrafter Cotton) as it has less stress to it.This bag worked up in roughly 3 hours. It was so much fun to make though that the time just flew by!This video does not show how to insert a lining so if you make the bag as is, keep in mind pointy objects (ie keys, writing utensils) will poke through. No biggie for me though!Overall, this beach bag was so much fun to create! It was an easy video tutorial to follow, used a minimal amount of yarn, and is a great tote bag.I will slowly be attending these beach bags into my Etsy shop. Feel free to request custom color combinations - Caron One Pound OR Red Heart Super Saver. Ask me how to receive 10% off your first one!

Monday, June 23, 2014

At the same time of purchasing the Kitty yarn I used in the Crochet Granny Square Baby Blanket and Hat Set, I also purchased this chunky yarn in Spring. This Spring yarn is such a neat color mixture - its yellow, green, blue and pinkish purple blended with white - reminds me dying Easter eggs!This blanket is great for laying down to change the baby or to cover the grass so you can put the baby down in the park.It works well for photo shoots too!Materials: -4 Balls of Chunky Yarn - I used Deborah Norville's Serenity Chunky Yarn in Spring (or you will need about 8 balls of worsted weight) -L11/8mm Crochet Hook -Tapestry Needle for Weaving in EndsMaterial Notes: 1 ball of the Deborah Norville yarn will give you 6", and each remaining ball will increase the size by 6" intervals.Time Spent: Each row took me about 4.75 minutes for a total just shy of 3 hours. Gauge: Not important. 4 rows = 3".Measurements: GOAL was 30" x 30". Actual blanket measures 32" wide by 30" long.Abbreviations: CH - Chain ea - each sp - space SC - Single Crochet FDC - Foundation Double Crochet DC - Double Crochet sl st - Slip Stitch v-st - V-Stitch (DC, CH 1, DC)

Please feel free to make and sell this blanket, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, rather you should link to it. Thanks!With so many size, yarn type and color options, I would love to see them! Join the EyeLoveKnots Crafting Community to share your creations, and see what other's are up to!Check out the EyeLoveKnots Ravelry page to keep track of all your EyeLoveKnots favorites in your que, and share your WIPS and finished projects!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin! You can also find me sharing on the EyeLoveKnots Facebook page, and @EyeLoveKnots on Twitter!

Don't Crochet but Interested in Purchasing a Crocheted Blanket? Visit the EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

I've recently taken a liking to crocheting baby blankets. While blankets aren't needed much in the hot summer weather here, they make great blankets to put down should you need to change the baby or to sit the baby down at the park.This blanket and hat set would also work well for a photo shoot!For this blanket, I went with the ever popular Granny Square pattern. I am in love with that pattern - as many people are!I also fell in love with Deborah Norville Yarns - in fact, the moment I first picked a ball up. I've worked with the Serenity Garden (2), Every Day Soft (4) and the Serenity Chunky (5). I love them all! They are so soft and consistent with never any splitting or tangling.When I went on my Joann's yarn-handling adventure, [check out my post on My Tips for Becoming More Familiar with Yarn Types] I spent a lot of time looking at the Deborah Norville Yarns. I ended up going back a few days later to pick up some chunky yarn. I had enough to make two baby blanket sets - I made one in Spring with V-Stitches and this Granny one.Materials: -5 Balls of Chunky Yarn - I used Deborah Norville's Serenity Chunky Yarn in Kitty (or you will need 4-10 balls (depending on the size) of worsted weight) -L11/8mm Crochet Hook -Tapestry Needle for Weaving in EndsMaterial Notes: 4 balls of the Deborah Norville yarn will give you just about 29" minus one side and no border. The extra ball will complete the blanket and leave you with enough to make a matching hat.Time Spent: I was able to complete the first 9 rows (13.5") in about an hour, the 10th row in roughly 8 minutes and each remaining row took approximately half a minute more than the previous one for a total of about 3.5 hours.Abbreviations: CH - Chain ea - each sp - space SC - Single Crochet DC - Double Crochet sl st - Slip StitchGauge: Not important. Each row is 0.75" in height.Measurements: 30" x 30"Pattern Note:

If you want your blanket rounds to be in alternating colors (such as red one round, blue the next), then at the end of the round you will fasten off. You will join your next color into the CH-1 space.If you are only using one color throughout (like me), then you will be slip stitching over to the CH-1 space in the beginning of each round.

Pattern:CH 4. Join to form a ring. CH 3. 2 DC in ring, CH 1, (3 DC in ring, CH 1) 3 times.Rnd 2: sl st over to the CH-1 sp. CH 3, 2 DC in same CH-1 sp, CH 2, 3 DC into same sp. CH 1, (3 DC into next CH-1 sp, CH 2, 3 DC in same sp, CH 1) around. Join.Rnd 3: sl st over to the CH-1 sp. CH 3, 2 DC in same sp, CH 2, 3 DC into same CH-1 sp, CH 1, (3 DC into next CH-sp, CH 2, 3 DC in same sp, CH 1, 3 DC in next sp, CH 1) around. Join.Rnd 4-19:You will continue in this pattern, slip stitching into the next CH-1 sp in the beginning of each round, (3 DC, CH 2, 3 DC) in each corner (where the CH-2 spaces are), and (3 DC, CH 1) in each side (where the CH-1 spaces are). You will notice with each round, the number of CH-1 spaces will increase by 1.Edging: After last join, CH 1, SC in ea DC and ea CH-1 sp with 2 SC in ea CH-2 sp.

Please feel free to make and sell this blanket, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, rather you should link to it. Thanks!With so many size, yarn type and color options, I would love to see them! Join the EyeLoveKnots Crafting Community to share your creations, and see what other's are up to!Check out the EyeLoveKnots Ravelry page to keep track of all your EyeLoveKnots favorites in your que, and share your WIPS and finished projects!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin! You can also find me sharing on the EyeLoveKnots Facebook page, and @EyeLoveKnots on Twitter!

Don't Crochet but Interested in Purchasing a Crocheted Blanket? Visit the EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

I made a trip to Hobby Lobby about a month or two ago and made a big purchase of summery scrapbook papers. While summer is still a few weeks days away (shows how long it's been since I started this post! Oops!), here in the Sunshine State it already feels like it's here!If you'd like to make your own coasters, check out my DIY Ceramic Tile Coasters post. It has been split into two parts: Supplies Needed and The Process.You will find all of the following coasters in my Etsy shop for sell. They are made to order but ready in 3-5 days.If you'd like to request a custom order, simply send me a message! I love the challenge.

This is my OOPS! photo. I was
taking a photo to show a friend and
noticed just to the left of my hook, I
had missed the very last cross-over
stitch ON THE LAST 3 ROWS!!!
I took a big sigh and then pulled all
my work out to fix it. OH NO!

The instructions look as Mikey says, "long and daunting" and I'll add the slightly confusing to follow. While I don't read diagrams, I will say they probably would have been helpful in this pattern to link the instructions to a mental image, but Mikey did a GREAT job interpreting it for us in his How to Crochet a Market Bag video.About a month ago, I received the Crochet Crowd newsletter. In it, it mentioned the new challenge would require 3 balls of Red Heart's Luster Sheen Yarn. I immediately jumped online to check out the yarn as it wasn't one I had previously looked into or added to my Yarn Reviews page. I discovered it was only available online. Though many sites I regularly visit have the yarn available (many out of stock) it wasn't in my budget to order 3 balls at $4.50 a ball plus shipping (since none of my local craft stores carry in store).I decided to take a trip to Joann's and see what I could find in a weight category of 2 and within my budget.UPDATE! WHILE BROWSING RED HEART'S DISCONTINUED YARNS PAGE, I NOTICED THE LUSTER SHEEN YARN HAS MADE IT ON THERE. 07.08.14. After searching through the aisles without having any luck, I turned to a personal favorite - Deborah Norville's Serenity Garden. At $4 a ball, I only put one ball in my basket. On my way to the check out line, I saw a side aisle full of cotton yarns I hadn't seen before. On it, I found the yarn I chose to use for this challenge - Cotton Fair Multi in Cloud Gazing by Premier Yarns. It is 52% Cotton, 48% Acrylic, soft and available in many BEAUTIFUL color combinations. It is a 3.5 oz ball and only $4!To complete the market bag, I used one ball and a tad bit of a second. (With one ball I was able to complete the double crochet's through to one handle.)This yarn was really nice to work with and I've been wanting to work on some summer scarves so the leftover yarn won't be sitting around very long.If you only follow the repeat 11-23 times, you will have enough to do one bag, and add extra support in centers of the handles. (And still qualify for the challenge!)If I were to make another one of these bags (which I plan to), I'd add a longer handle or possibly even a drawstring type handle.

This challenge couldn't have come at a better time - a friend, Jenny, is going on vacation and as soon as I found out the challenge, I knew it would make a great gift.*After completing it, I tested it out with a rolled up towel, a pair of flip flops, a tube of sunscreen and two magazines. The bag stretches out nicely and the handle holds up well.**Snacks, sunglass and/or a new crocheted sun hat (to name a few) would also make nice additions to this summer gift!Timewise, it took approximately half an hour to complete the bottom circle and then roughly 13 minutes per row plus another 30-45 minutes to add the handles and weave in my ends for a total of about 5 hours - WOW! While it seems like a while, it really felt like it worked up pretty quickly.Each row measures 1" tall so any added or omitted rows will change the final length in 1" intervals.You can easily make this bag wider if you'd like by increasing your beginning circles.As I was working on the bag, I also was thinking how neat it would look as a hat. A bag is basically an oversized hat.Overall, I think this was a GREAT challenge! The lacy pattern is perfect for inspiration on hats and scarves for the Spring and Summer. I think with some chunky yarn, this pattern would also make a nice blanket. It also builds my confidence in the ease of making a market.Looking forward to the upcoming Stitch-cation Afghan Challenge.I've added the Lacy Market Bag to my Etsy shop. Feel free to request a custom color - click here - as well as choosing your own size or whether you'd like the handles as is or with a drawstring. Should you like it as a hat, scarf or baby blanket, feel free to request it as well.For all custom orders, send a messsage to - EyeLoveKnots@gmail.com. Or message me through my Etsy shop.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Today, I sat down and went through the ceramic tile coasters I had stored. Most of them Spring and Easter ones. I had a spare box at home so I boxed up the Spring and Easter coasters and put a note on top so I would remember which ones were in there. This box will make them easier to store and move - which is great when my space is limited.As I was going through the coasters, I was double checking that I had added them to my Etsy shop. *All of the Spring and Easter coasters left in stock have been marked down 10%.I was also examining the images for blemishes and/or stray hairs. I set these aside.I went through the set aside coasters and split them into 1.) sellable ones - which I marked down 25% and labeled as "Oops!" (hehe), 2.) donations - not sellable but no need to toss, and 3.) toss.For the donation ones I packaged them up neatly and included a note for finishing them up (as I did not add the felt to the back of them) and caring for them. Find below my way of doing this. You can also use this method for gift wrapping!

I used:A single hole punch for attaching the noteColored Index Cards (I got mine at the Dollar Tree)40" of two strands of worsted weight (4) yarn (adjust length if using other)A set of coasters for wrapping

Fold your yarn in half. Center it on the coaster.

Flip your coaster over.Cross the two strands on the back.

While holding the two strands, turn the coaster 90 degrees clockwise to twist the yarn strands.

At this point if you haven't hole punched your index card, do so.Write your message - mine says,"These ceramic tile coasters have blemishes on them - unfortunatelythey weren't dry enough when I stacked them on top of each other.They've been sealed with two coats of an acrylic sealer making themwater resistant NOT waterproof. DO NOT submerge in water. NOTdishwasher safe.To Care For: simply wipe with a damp cloth.To Finish: Hot glue felt or cork to bottom of tiles.AlexandraEyeLoveKnots.blogspot.com"*I include similar notes with each purchase. It's nice to receivepersonalized, hand written notes. It's important to include care instructions and other pertinent info.**When donating handmade items, include your contact/store information. Who knows? Someone may want to make another purchase! Or see what else you have to offer.

Place your index card underneath your yarn strands.Adjust the strands to accommodate the index card.Prepare to tie.*I'm not sure why I put my finger on the cross part heresince I still needed to string the yarn through the hole...After the next step, you may need to use a finger tohelp you with the tying.

String your yarn through the hole you made earlier.

Tie a simple overhand knot to secure your yarn.

Tie a bow.Straighten your loose ends out & trim.

Now you're finished! This is a great way to give your coasters as a gift (or to wrap a gift box). Your note can be much smaller than mine and may not need to go as placed - of course these are all up to interpretation.Before I placed my coasters in a box for donation, I took a single sheet of bubble wrap and wrapped them - just in case the box gets tossed around a little after I hand them off.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Today, I went through my Etsy shop and marked all of the Spring and Easter Coasters that I have left in stock as Ready to Ship (RTS) and 10% off. They were $6.00 but are now $5.40. Summer is almost here and I'm trying to make room for more items. Mix and Matching is definitely an option! Any Spring/Easter Coasters that I have in stock can be mixed in at the sale price. Feel free to comment or sent me a message.Once these sell, they will still be available for special order but at regular price and made to order - ready in 3-5 days.As of 3:00pm on June 9th, 2014, the following are still available:

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My Whirlpool Coin Purse can be found in February 2018, Issue 41 of the Pattern Pack Pro. This issue features five coin purses! If you don't already subscribe to the Pattern Pack Pro, it's a great monthly crochet magazine that focuses specifically on a type of project to help build your repertoire. Click this image to subscribe now - this contains an affiliate link, meaning if you subscribe using it, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, PLUS! You get a discount by subscribing through my link.

Hello There!

Confession - I am a craft, coffee and cat addict! I love to crochet, make my own jewelry, make cards and invitations, hand write letters, paint, draw, do my nails, hang out on Pinterest, visit with other bloggers, share projects, bake, play with my cat Shiloh... The list goes on and on! Pleasure to meet you, and thanks for joining the journey! Craftedly Yours, Alexandra.

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I love when you share my projects and recipes! But please be respectful.

Do not copy and paste my posts anywhere, rather you should link to them.

Do not sell my patterns or posts!

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